Gear collapsed as 737 slowed to exit runway: carrier

Irish carrier Air Contractors believes the Boeing 737-400F which suffered a gear collapse at the UK’s East Midlands airport had decelerated to vacate the runway before the accident.

The aircraft, serial number 24433, had undergone an A-check over 26-27 April and a heavy maintenance check in February last year.

Its next heavy check is not due until early 2015.

Although the aircraft seemed to land without problems following its service from Paris Charles de Gaulle, the carrier says: “Part of the landing-gear on the left side of the aircraft appears to have failed after the aircraft had slowed down to exit the runway.”

The 24-year old aircraft, operating flight QY1748, was transporting 10t of freight.

Its captain had accumulated 4,500h while the first officer had logged 3,900h. Air Contractors says the two pilots were “highly experienced”.

“It is understood that the aircraft landed normally and there were no adverse weather conditions,” it adds.

East Midlands airport’s operator says the aircraft has remained on the runway, and that the runway is “closed until further notice”.